Historical Romance: Sophia's Spirited Spinster's Society A Lady's Club Regency Romance: The Spinster's Society, #4

By Charlotte Stone

Book 04 in The Spinster's Society series - A Historical Romance Book

Miss Sophia Taylor has a secret.

 

In fact, the gossip column writer and daughter of London's most notorious tailor has more than one secret, and they're all about to be revealed…

 

They will star the most untouchable member of the exclusive Men of Nashwood:

The Duke of Cort.

 

For Sophia, it's a forbidden love that can never see the light of day.

But in the night, passions are set free.

Freedom comes with a price and this one might be too high a cost to pay.

 

Lord Morris Kidd has always lived his life by the rules.

On the outside, he's everything the ton expects of a duke.

On the inside, his need for Sophia holds the power to burn him alive. Something ignites in him that feels too right to be wrong and too powerful to ignore any longer.

 

Sophia's secrets will stand between them and though he has an endless supply of wealth and prestige, he might not have the power to save her.

 

Can Sophia break free of her past?

And if she does, are they willing to pay the cost for their love? 

And if she does, are they both willing to pay the cost for their love? 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charlotte Stone
• Release date: Feb 19, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393349006

Charlotte Stone

In a near cynical world which we are currently living in, Charlotte finds comfort in the readings of Regency Romance writings, one of her favourite would be Laura Kinsale’s Flowers from the storm where the female character loves and saves the male lead character who is a stroke victim. It was such writings which inspired her to be an author herself. In Charlotte’s writings, the characters are able to see beyond the imperfections of each other and to accept and love one another, just the way one is. Isn’t this true of our inner self? To be able to find someone who is able to see the beauty in us, in spite of all imperfections we might have. Isn’t this true of what love really should be? Ever accepting, ever loving, ever seeking. May you find love and acceptance in Charlotte’s writings.

Book preview

prologue

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Miss Sophia Taylor blamed Lady Lorena Cullip for all the new emotions that had been awakened in her over the last year, for there was something about the woman that had forced down Sophia’s guard and taught her to open her heart. She’d not had very many female friends growing up. Her life had been different from anyone else’s she knew. As the daughter of a second son of a viscount, she’d not truly engaged in the life of the ton, never quite fitting in until Lorena and her Spinsters’ Society found her.

Sophia’s mother had died when she was a child, and it wasn’t long after that her father had come to retrieve her. She’d been so young that she hardly remembered those years, though she recalled the sadness in his eyes whenever he looked at her. Everyone said they looked alike, since they shared the same coloring—vivid green eyes and hair as black as the wings of a raven—but Mr. Taylor had told his daughter that she looked very much like her mother. His words, combined with his sadness, always made Sophia believe that he’d loved her mother, a woman who’d run off to do whatever it was that made her happy—a calling that she hadn’t been able to deny.

Over the years, that belief had been further proven with her father’s need to always have women about. She’d learned early on what happened between a man and a woman. Nothing was forbidden her. Her father didn’t send her off to school. Instead, he’d hired tutors and kept her home.

They were close and, through it all, Sophia counted her father as her best friend, something Society thought unnatural and unhealthy, which was yet another reason she’d never belonged in the beau monde.

Until she found her place with the Spinsters.

Under Lorena’s giving heart and surrounded by the warmth of the other women, Sophia found a place that felt like home and her new friends adored her father... though he flirted shamelessly with them. Still, the things that made her feel odd somehow made her feel appreciated amongst her sisterhood.

So, she’d let down her guards and opened her heart to new possibilities.

And then he came, invading her soul with a single look, branding her his for all time. If she’d not had her guards down, it would have never happened, yet it was far too late to go back.

She was his, and she could never have him. She wasn’t entirely sure that any woman could, yet while she owned her soul, she fought to keep her heart and would die before she allowed him to break it.

Or rather break it again

Since the truth was that he’d broken her heart at their very first meeting.

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chapter 1

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May 1813

London, England

Five Months Earlier

Sophia walked into her bedchamber and couldn’t pull her eyes from Lorena. The other women who’d come with her paused as well to take their friend in. It was the first time Sophia had seen Lorena out of her mourning attire and though the color was still dark, the style did not make one think of mourning. Sophia thought no man would stand a chance at refusing Lorena anything she wished for. Sophia’s father, Mr. Taylor, who was London’s best tailor, had ensured the midnight-blue dress dipped dangerously low in the front.

Lorena turned to them. It is too much. Her bright blue eyes met Sophia’s as if waiting for her to agree but Sophia would do no such thing. Sophia had been wearing daring clothes since she was sixteen. She decided to skip having a debut and asked her father to change her closet. She’d had no hope of marrying a gentleman, or any man for that matter, so didn’t bother with parading herself in front of them. Instead, she’d decided to live a life that shocked everyone who saw her or read her column in the paper.

It’s gorgeous. Genie moved further into the room.

Sophia couldn’t wait to see the reaction of the ten men who waited downstairs. She thought about this as the conversation continued around them.

Lorena was the daughter of a duke and was engaged to an earl named Ashwick— if one asked him. Lorena had yet to give him a true answer, though she was desperately in love with him. He happened to be a member of a brotherhood called the Men of Nashwood. Sophia had only met Ashwick and another of the men named Calvin. She’d found them both to be handsome and had been told that the other eight men were just as beautiful.

Her father walked into the room to view his work and there was more commotion about the dress. Lorena was slightly uncomfortable with it, so everyone worked to encourage her until she gave in.

Sophia followed the group downstairs and smiled to herself, envisioning Ashwick’s face.

Ashwick is going to swoon, Genie whispered to her, a small devious smile on her lips, her pale green eyes glittering. She was petite and, from what Sophia had gathered, was Lorena’s best friend. Genie and Lorena had known most of the Men of Nashwood all their lives, causing trouble for him, trouble that had included burning down Lord Ashwick’s London mansion a few days earlier, though Lorena swore it was someone else.

They arrived in the drawing room and Ashwick did not disappoint. He’d had his back to her but, at one of the men’s exclamation, he turned and his expression was an explosion of love and lust.

Sophia laughed as she watched the men crowd around her friend but then she stopped as something brushed her neck, the feeling that someone was watching her. She touched the spot and turned to glance around the room but saw nothing.

A deep voice filled the room and Sophia felt it like a hand caressing her spine, sending a shiver through her. Don’t settle for anything else than a dukedom, Lorena.

She turned and watched the most beautiful man she’d ever seen smile down at Lorena. He was in profile and Sophia took him in from head to toe. He was tall and something about his posture was so compelling, it demanded her to take note of him. She held her breath as she studied his dark locks and the arrogant grin. She wondered silently if God had known what sort of creature he’d created when he formed him. He was so gorgeous it was tragic that only one woman could have him at the end of the day.

Though more than one woman could have his child.

She blinked as she realized where her mind had gone. Was she truly willing to take a man’s seed after one look and the sound of his voice?

Dear God, she was.

She wanted him.

Desperately.

That’s Morris Kidd, the Duke of Cort.

Sophia swung to look at Maura and found her friend smiling at her. She was Lorena’s cousin and they shared many of the same looks, the blue eyes and soft golden hair but Maura was slimmer and quieter than all the other women. Aunt Tilda, as she wished all the girls to call her, was Maura’s mother.

Sophia had known Aunt Tilda for years since she’d been her father’s only female model besides herself but Sophia had only met Maura a week ago.

She wondered what the other woman had seen on her face, yet not one to be shy with her words, she spoke honestly. I think I want to have his children. And Sophia had never wanted children before.

Maura grinned, laughing quietly, the sound nearly drowned by the conversation at the door.

Sophia refused to look in the duke’s direction again. Don’t tell him.

I won’t say a word to anyone. Maura took her hand. Come, you must be introduced.

Sophia moved further into the drawing room with a nervousness she’d never felt before and in her own home no less.

I think I’m falling in love, her father said as he stared at Lorena in the dress he’d created.

You’re always falling in love, Sophia told him because the words were true. It was not Lorena as much as it was about what he’d done to her. He thought himself a god with needle and thread.

Her words prompted everyone to look at her and the feeling at the back of her neck returned.

Her father stood and did the introductions and Sophia forced herself to meet the eyes of every man who took her hand. After the first flirtatious wink, meeting one right after the other began easily. The men were all charming and teased in a way that left Sophia feeling like her confident self.

She knew it would take her a few days to remember who was who but when Morris appeared before her, she knew she’d be whispering his name in her dreams for weeks.

Morris gave her the full pressure of his blue-green eyes as her father said his name. She curtsied quickly on unsteady legs and held her breath as he took her gloved fingers into his own. His hand lock around hers, further grabbing her attention, and his mouth lowered toward her hand. When it was just a mere half inch away, he grinned and lowered her hand without letting it go.

Sophia was confused. Conversations began to bloom again around them and her father began to speak to Aunt Tilda, all but abandoning her. Morris’ eyes continued to hold hers, and her slippers remained rooted on the ground. Her senses were heightened by his nearness. She was aware of the smell of his cologne, the pressure of his hand on hers, the light that his body blocked, the laughter or their friends. His tanned face, the widow’s peak that set off his black hair, his straight nose, strong jaw, and hooded eyes that would have made her think he couldn’t care less about the world except for the life that flowed in his irises.

What do you call that? she asked.

He lifted a dark brow. What?

Your eyes, she whispered. What color do you say they are?

He grinned with the certainty he knew who beguiled her. Blue.

But they’re not blue, she told him. I mean, they are, but they’re not. Lorena’s eyes are blue. She looked around and realized that both Lorena and Ashwick were gone.

Green then. His thumb swept over the back of the hand he still held.

Sophia gave a small start and turned to him, once again falling into his spell. No. They’re not green either.

Your eyes are green. It was a simple fact, yet it was like he spoke it into existence. Had her eyes been any other color before, they were definitely green now.

Yes. Do you think our children will have green eyes? Would you like to make them now?

He leaned forward. Most people say my eyes are teal but they can look different in candlelight. I could show you.

Sophia knew her shock showed on her face but prayed her answer didn’t. Yes. Yes. Yes. She cleared her throat. He wasn’t the first man from the brotherhood who’d flirted with her that evening. She had to keep a hold of herself. There will be candles at dinner. I suppose I’ll see them then. She offered him her most innocent smile when she usually gave a gentleman her very best alluring grin. But she didn’t feel comfortable doing so with this man. This man might take the bait and, even worse, she’d allow him to do so.

His gaze fell to her mouth and his smile fell away. Ashwick and Calvin said Lorena's new friend Sophia was pretty. They were wrong. He tucked her hand into his arm and started to stroll them around the room.

Sophia had met Calvin Lockwood, a wealthy landed gentry man on the night she and the other women had visited a tavern. Calvin, not knowing Sophia, had thought to set her to set her straight on a few matters, making it clear that women of Society were not to be seen at taverns, but she’d shown him her fury, which he’d not been prepared for, and in the end set him straight by advising he never offended her again. He’d grinned when she’d finished and escorted her, Maura, and Genie home.

Calvin thought she was pretty. She liked that, though she realized that Morris’ opinion mattered more to her.

She straightened. I’m not pretty?

His gaze moved to her lips then back to her eyes. No, you’re so much more than that.

Her cheeks stung as color moved to her face. I believe I just heard you tell Lorena to not settle for anything less than your dukedom.

His expression changed and his jaw tightened. Lorena will marry Ashwick.

Does that upset you?

No, I don’t love her but I must marry a woman like her.

What do you mean? she asked.

I have to marry the daughter of a peer.

She took a deep breath and allowed his words to settle into her shattered heart.

Obviously, she’d not be having his babies after all. How unfortunate that her father had been born second and her mother a mystery. Her father had told her about most of his past and the truths she needed to know the most but she knew there was more to the story, far more to the case of her abandonment. It had all made her fear becoming a parent herself.

Hadn’t she vowed to never marry anyway? I’m not the daughter of a peer.

But you are very beautiful. He said it with a conviction that forced her to believe it.

Yet you didn’t kiss my hand, she countered.

He smiled then. The first time I set my mouth on you, I plan for us to be alone.

She stopped walking just as they reached a dark corner of the room. There were so many ways she took offense to his words, beginning with the assumption that they would kiss and the added assumption that they would do it more than once. You’re very arrogant.

He turned and nearly pressed her into the wall. Don’t worry. You’ll like it.

Heat made her press her legs together, and she swore she would not let this man take liberties with her. He had already informed her that he had no plans to marry her, so their relationship could go nowhere.

We won’t be kissing. Even to her own ears, she sounded breathy.

He chuckled. Now, the only question is exactly where to start.

She hesitated. What do you mean?

I mean, when I kiss you. Where should I start? His eyes swept her body and when they returned to hers, his dark expression made her toes curl.

Good Lord, she whispered as her mind immediately pictured the places she wished for his mouth to go. The burning in her cheeks spread down her throat. You can’t say that to me.

Why ever not?

I’m gently bred, she told him, though that wasn’t truly the case. She knew far too much for an unmarried woman of wealth.

You’re not a virgin.

Her lips parted but nothing came out of her mouth. She wanted to ask him how he knew.

He spread his fingers against her belly, backing her into the wall, burning her through her clothes. The move was unseen by the rest of the room, the view of his hand blocked by his own body. His eyes became predatory. I saw it in the way you looked at me when you first entered the room. You’ve eaten the forbidden fruit and have enjoyed it.

It was true. She’d been intimate with a man before, a man she’d loved, but it was only that one man and it had been nearly a year ago. This man, the one who stood before her, was not him. You’re right. I’ve slept with a man before, however, your analogy is wrong.

His eyes darkened. How so?

She placed her hands on his wrist at her stomach. I am the forbidden fruit, and you’ll never have me. She shoved his fingers away.

He groaned and let loose a chuckle. I like you.

I don’t like you. She started to walk away but he still held her other arm and easily set them back into the motion of circling the room.

Oh, I’ll have to change that. His smile made her heart flutter.

I don’t think you can. She was embarrassed to have revealed something so intimate on their first meeting. She’d never told any man but her father the truth and while Sophia could handle herself where men were concerned, there was something different about Morris, something ungentlemanly, that made her forget where they were, make her picture them in a time and place where a man could simply throw a woman over his shoulder and claim her as his own.

His voice broke her from her thoughts. You don’t want to challenge me.

This is not a challenge. This is me stating what is. I don’t like you and I never will.

The footman’s announcement of dinner gave Sophia reason to snatch her hand back and move away from him. She sprinted from the room and no longer had to wonder at what the sensation at the back of her neck was. His eyes were on her, and Sophia tried to think of a way to ensure they were the only part of him that ever touched her again.

*   *   *

chapter 2

*   *   *

Sophia sat in the quiet of Lorena’s parlor and went through the invitations that some of the Men of Nashwood had dropped off earlier in the week. The table before her overflowed with them and it was all her fault.

Last week, she’d told Levi what had gone on at the tavern and details about the man who’d burned out Ashwick’s home and he, in turn, had gone to the papers. The article had included mention of the Spinsters’ Society and every one of the Men of Nashwood. yet while the Spinsters thought the article in good taste, the men had not.

They’d called a meeting to explain their position about the beau monde. They didn’t wish to go to balls and parties, yet now that everyone knew they were going out to taverns, everyone wished to host them, so Sophia had been forced to come up with a plan to appease them.

She declared that the Spinsters would oversee the men’s schedule and fill it with various parties amongst themselves. Therefore, none of the ton would be hurt by their absence. She’d been glad when they’d given her permission to write her own stories about the two clans, ensuring the reputation of the groups remained.

Sophia’s article about Lorena’s dress had somehow become about the ten Men of Nashwood and her female readers from every class had adored it. The next morning, she’d been offered her own page in the latest female magazines if she continued to write about London’s most sought-after bachelors.

It had been a genius plan at the time, Sophia thought, at least writing had been but as she set to creating a schedule, she recalled why her plan didn’t work for herself.

At the meeting, Morris had stood grinning in the corner and Sophia and realized she’d set herself up to run into him over and over again. If she was in charge of their schedules and the planning of parties, then it meant seeing him repeatedly and giving him a chance to lure her into his bed.

Since the first night they’d met, Sophia had avoided him and the other men, yet she’d been right to assume that she’d be whispering his name in her sleep. Not one night had gone by without her envisioning his large body lying on top of hers. She shamelessly admitted that she’d touched herself with thoughts of him, his voice in her ear speaking wicked things, his hands roaming her body,